Recently, The US Aniti-Doping Agency (USADA) announced that they would not be working with the UFC after the end of 2023. It has been 8 years since USADA joined the UFC back in 2015. The news shocked everyone in the community, as it came out of nowhere.
Many fighters and people associated with the sport had something to say about the whole situation. However, the UFC commentator Brendan Fitzgerald blasted USADA, saying, “USADA just lost a big client and a lot of money, so they’re a bit salty. UFC drug program remains in place… just not paying a middle man”.
USADA just lost a big client and a lot of money, so they’re a bit salty.
UFC drug program remains in place… just not paying a middle man.
— Brendan Fitzgerald (@BrendanFitzTV) October 11, 2023
Brendan also explained the situation from his perspective on his YouTube channel and shared his thoughts about the whole scenario. He said that the UFC will continue to have an anti-doping drug testing program. Brendan also replied to some of the comments about steroid users being back after USADA will no longer be there, saying, “That is not how it works”.
Then he went on to say that the USADA is building a narrative, saying the USADA found out about the UFC not working with them after the end of 2023, and they are coming up with the whole Conor McGregor not completing his 6-month testing pool tenure before he can fight in the UFC.
UFC and USADA will terminate their anti-doping partnership after differences surrounding Conor McGregor made the relationship “untenable.”
Full story: https://t.co/ChQoL4qepB pic.twitter.com/485snUJ5dg
— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) October 11, 2023
Brendan said that the UFC will announce their new anti-doping program and what it will entail in the coming months, before the end of this year. He added that Conor McGregor has entered the USADA drug testing pool and will be under USADA regulations until December 30, 2023.
Commenting on Conor, he explained that Conor will be available for the UFC 300 card, which doesn’t have a confirmed date but is expected to take place in April 2024.
USADA’s statement on the ending of its relationship with the UFC
A statement from USADA CEO Travis T. Tygart came, saying they have verified Conor McGregor’s re-entry into the USADA testing pool starting Sunday, October 8, 2023, and also have communicated to the UFC that there should be no leeway granted for McGregor to compete until he produces two negative tests and remains in the pool for a minimum of six months.
🏊♂️ pic.twitter.com/rem6aHYWkA
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) October 11, 2023
Tygart’s statement also says that the USADA is unsure if the UFC will follow the 6-month rule as they will not be available from January 1, 2024. The tension grew between USADA and UFC due to comments from UFC leaders and others challenging USADA’s firm position that McGregor shouldn’t fight without a minimum six-month presence in the testing pool.
It will be interesting to see what anti-doping policy will the UFC introduce after the USADA contract is over after this year’s end. Moreover, will Conor McGregor return in January to fight against Michael Chandler? Let us know in the comments.